Month: November 2019

Well … I made it through last week.

The birch trees were nearly bare even before the storm hit. 

Morning temperatures had been getting COLD.  There was ice on the reservoir several mornings.  I recall when the reservoir would still be full during winter and the ice would get thick enough to skate on.  Now it is drained by late fall so no more skating.

And of course, there has been ice on windshields. Current temperature is 30 degrees.

Monday it was snowing in Weed when I went to lunch with my friends but, although it was heavy enough to see, it wasn’t sticking. Yesterday morning we woke to a skiff of snow on the ground and it began to stick about 0900.  By last evening we had about 10” with drifts.  The snow had been steady all day, at times nearly a whiteout, with winds steady in the 35 mph range.  At 0700 this morning we had no internet because the dish was full of snow.

The weather folks called it a bombcyclone and this storm was a rarity.  It hit the coast near the California-Oregon border with the power of a cold typhoon.  By the time it got inland and past the Marble and the Klamath mountains, it was just a strong winter storm, a bit like we used to have.

And while we were watching the snow fall we were listening to emergency events on the fire company frequencies.  CalFire, CHP, the ambulance service, and CalTrans (as well as their counterparts across the border in Oregon) were kept busy all day.  Folks who don’t know how to drive in snow were going off the road and/or running into each other.  Others were having heart attacks.  We heard of flooding in the central part of California and between LA and San Diego, and the Santa Barbara-Goleta area was on fire.

What a start to Winter (which is still a couple of weeks away).  But I have books and spinning and knitting and some salves to make for gifts, and there is lots of firewood and food … so we’re secure.

~~~

Last Wednesday was the radio club meeting but I didn’t go.  I went to the bi-monthly meeting of the Watermaster district instead.  We need to keep them guessing, knowing they are being watched.

One surprising change in the Watermaster entity is that the woman who has been one of the two at the core of the troubles, the “Executive Director”, is resigning.  Her position has been posted on their website.  Maybe the people showing up at the meetings to see what‘s going on is working?  The neighborhood, that is all others impacted by the changes in our water, seem to be pulling together.  To quote “All About Eve” … Fasten your seatbelts.  It’s going to be a bumpy ride.

As point person for radio club activities next year, I wrote up a report and sent it to the meeting with Kamille.  I won’t be putting much effort into planning events until after the first of the year (2020! Oh my …)

Next big event will be the holiday dinner party.  We have a new ham who lives at George Washington Manor (which is an elder apartment complex in Mount Shasta) and he says their conference room might be available for the radio club to use.  That would be a real gift because we are outgrowing the “party” space at the clubhouse.  But those present at the meeting decided to keep the party at the clubhouse for at least another year.  Now I have a month to get the game(s) and the prizes in order.  I think we’ll do a word search based on the holidays.  I’ll see if I can find another game as well.  Suggestions?

~~~

Last Saturday was the next in the Met’s HD presentations for which my friends and I have tickets.  It was “Ankhnaten” composed by Philip Glass.  I’m not sure what I expected … but that wasn’t it.

Glass’ music can be disorienting when it isn’t being hypnotic or introspective.  I don’t know it well enough (yet) to let it roll around me.  So my sense of sound was in overdrive particularly since there were only two “arias” such as we are used to hearing in opera … the love duet and the Hymn to the Sun … and even those weren’t what we are used to hearing.  Glass uses voices as instruments in the orchestra.

The sets and costumes were equally disorienting.  Since the subject of the opera was the reign of Ankhnaten (Egypt about 1,300 BCE) you would expect clothing like we see in tomb paintings.  Instead Queen Tye could have been at home in Elizabeth I’s court except for her Hathor headdress.  All the jugglers looked as if they had been rolling in the Nile mud.  Ankhnaten himself was beyond description.  Only Nefertiti came close to what we expect as Egyptian of that period. 

All that said, it was four hours not wasted.  I would like to see it again and plan to get the DVD when it becomes available.

~~~

And while I’m on the subject of theatricals …

Last thursday Paul’s second grade class presented a show for parents and others. It was called “The Barn Dance”.  The kids had memorized a poem about 10 minutes long as well as all the accompanying movements and gestures.  Rather impressive.  Paul and three others were piggies and as part of the “dance” twirled around until they were dizzy and fell down.

~~~

We have plans for tomorrow.  Festivities at home are still too raw, so if the weather permits, we will be going out to dinner.  The HiLo in Weed is setting up a turkey buffet.

Sometime during the afternoon, whether at the HiLo or at home, I thought to try something new … build a new tradition maybe.  We could each be asked for what in 2019 we are thankful.  I will write the answers down, fold them, and bury them by the front door when we get home.  We will know they are there and they will be a reminder of what we have for which to be grateful … at least for me.

~~~

To close this time … May all of you who celebrate the USA Thanksgiving have a wonderful holiday.  And may ALL of us everywhere enjoy !!! 

Life is so unpredictable. Be grateful for every moment.

So … ‘til next week …

A year ago, my son said something that to me sounded like “Don’t live your life based on death.”  He was referring to my habit of marking my calendar with birth dates, anniversary dates, and death dates. 

So if you don’t remember death dates, or don’t want to think about death, or whatever, you may not want to read any further and I’ll be talking to you again next week.

~~~

Tomorrow it will have been two years …

I just found this on a Facebook post.

Epitaph (modified)

When I die
Give away what’s left of me
To children.

If you need to cry,
Cry for those
Walking the street beside you.
When you need me,
Put your arms
Around someone
And give them
What you need to give to me.

Look for me
In the people I’ve known
Or loved.
Let me live on in your eyes
And not just your mind.

You can love me most
By letting
Hands touch hands,
And letting bodies touch bodies.

Love doesn’t die,
People do.
So, when all that’s left of me
Is love,
         Give me away.

~~~

I recently learned the full Moon this month is called the Mourning Moon by some.  She was full just a week ago.

“The November full Moon is all about final preparations. It’s a time to bundle up … a time to surround ourselves with things that will comfort and sustain us during the dark that has arrived at our doorstep.”

~~~

A week ago I began reading a book recommended by my librarian.  We are both widows.

The book is “The Little Paris Bookshop” by Nina George and is, in part, about the changes which occur following the loss of that important person.  It is full of wonderful words … put together in amazing ways to comfort or delight.  It is the second book I’ve read this year about a book seller.  They were both beautifully written. 

~~~

Last saturday I was listening to “The Hours” by Philip Glass. It is music not understood by everyone.  But as I listened, I knew it was the “us” I had lived with for over seventy years … an “us” not understood by everyone.

George was the constant, ever present, repeating, undercurrent to my life from the time I was twenty.  No matter where I went, or how I changed, or how I moved, or which path I took, or how I behaved, or … or … or … or … that constant, supporting undercurrent was there.

Now there are times I am dysrhythmic, even atonal, without a guiding foundation. 

If you didn’t understand how that “us” could have survived … or what I just wrote … listen to “The Hours” without expectations or judgments.

~~~

There have been two early morning thoughts with me lately, both dealing with regret.  It has been said we regret only what we did not do.  That is not correct.

One regret is not about the doing, but the need to do. 

During the last two or three days, as his body was shutting down, I saw the despair and anger George was feeling at being caught in a cage from which escape was a dream.  I wept. But I told him his work was done and it was alright for him to go.  I still weep in spite of knowing it was the correct thing to do … to let him go.  It was like when we were younger and he was traveling a lot back and forth between home and DC. I would say, as we had been told his paternal grandmother said at partings … “Do not stand upon the order of your going, but go and go at once.” I knew he had to go. I hated it.  I still hate it.

The other is a real regret over something not done. 

The day before he died, George indicated he wanted to go somewhere.  It took both Mark and I to move him.  We asked if he wanted to go to the restroom meaning, but not explicitly saying, “the toilet”.  He nodded “yes”.  As we were moving him, he grabbed the post at the bottom of the stairs with his left hand (the only part of his body, other than his head, which he still controlled) and held tight.  I now believe he wanted to go upstairs to our bed to “rest”.  I should have understood.  I should have taken him upstairs, undressed him, put him in bed and wrapped our coverlet around him, gotten undressed myself (we always slept starkers), and gotten in with him. 

That which I should have done I did not do … it is a regret I live with.

~~~

For those of you still with me … I apologize for the bumpy ride.  A young friend, also a widow, described it as “that bone-breaking loneliness.”  Another speaks of the “pain” time between the loss and adjustment.

Having unloaded all this, I may not have to do it (overtly) again.  Thank you for seeing me through it.

On the fourth page of the book I referenced earlier the author wrote …

There had been love in this room.  Now there’s only me.”

So … ‘til next week …

I had two times with Paul this week.  Our regular friday afternoon now includes picking up chicken feed as well as some special activity, shopping, and the library.  Last friday was pizza day.  

Saturday morning we spent doing autumn close-down of the school garden … final weed pulling and spreading leaves and compost.  We may go back for finishing touches next saturday.

~~~

Still no big weather change.  The leaf carpet on the approach to the hen yard has morphed from red maple to bright yellow cherry on its way to crisp brown.  The birches are still golden. There are empty spaces on the pines where the wind has blown off the dead needle clusters.  Outdoors requires two shirt layers, but no need for a jacket … yet.

Still only one comforter at night, but I have begun using the lap robes at the computer or when reading in the now dark and cooling evenings.

And the year turns.

~~~

The LDS genealogy center seems to be having a bit of a problem.  It would appear there aren’t enough Mormons willing to staff it.  I used to work there as an honorary “Sister”. I plan on scheduling days there for my own research.  Maybe I’ll be put back on their schedule as helper.  That way I’ll be sure someone is there when I go for research.

~~~

On my regular tuesday lunch-and-a-movie date with my friend, I went to see the new “Midway” yesterday.  It was hard.  I remember the original film (which was made a bit sloppy by a heroic Charleton Heston subplot and was war propaganda, but basically accurate).  George and I used to watch it the first week in June every year.  He was a history buff.

This new film glosses over some history (such as the pilot who saw the entire carrier battle while floating in the water in a life vest) and includes more build-up since it starts with Pearl Harbor. I remember seeing my Daddy cry only twice … once was Pearl.

George and I were teenagers during that time, and I almost lost it when some a—hole behind me in the theatre said something to the effect that those guys were all trying to be heroes.  I knew men who had been at Pearl.  My cousin was a submariner.  I shared lemonade and chocolate bars with men in transport convoys past our farm.  I bought war stamps.  We were all heroes.

End of rant …

Next week my date with Joyce is for a comedy.

~~~

Have I told you I made Fire Cider last week?  I should have started sooner.  It is setting where I see it and am reminded to shake it every day.  It won’t be ready until the middle of December.  Building immunity in order to stave off colds and flu needs to begin around Hallowe’en.  I’ll make a note on next year’s calendar to start a bit earlier.

It is time for a new batch of BooBoo Salve as well.  Harvest went fairly well this year and plants have dried nicely. As a result I have a sufficient amount of appropriate herbs for that blend.

I’m thinking of doing up some face oil … again.  I used to make it every year when the two older grandchildren were little.  They always knew when I had arrived for a visit because they recognized the aroma.  Might be nice to renew that connection.

~~~

Sunday, while sitting at Matilda spinning, I was reminded to be there (wherever you are) … unconditionally.  I often daydream while looking out the window as I spin.  Sunday morning, a bit before 0900, the cold autumn sun was at just the right angle to turn the spider webs in the fir tree into glitz.  It was magickal eye candy.  The lesson to be learned was to notice and enjoy the ephemeral blessings.  Next time you look, they may be gone.

~~~

Yesterday was an unusual day from the getgo … not just the movie.

I was getting ready to go to the writing class when I took a last look at the net and saw there was to be a surprise food distribution.  It was of fresh produce which had never before been available in November.  So … no class … and I took off to do my food sharing volunteer thing.

We usually serve close to two hundred families at those events.  Yesterday we saw only a few more than 90.  There hadn’t been much time to let folks know.  Those who showed up either saw it on the net like I did, or got a call from someone who saw it.

There were apples (“take a case”), grapes (“don’t you want more?”), persimmons (“so ripe you need to use them right away”), green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, chopped red and green cabbage, slaw mix (added carrots and zucchini), assorted greens (romaine, spinach, mesclun), potatoes (“take a full box”), frozen breakfast sausages and pork chops, and day old croissants (sausage, egg, and croissant breakfast sandwiches anyone?). As we were closing (they had to take a load to the north county), there was a lot left which was to be discarded since there was no storage space available. I decided if it was leftover, and was going to be discarded, I would take a lot of it to give to some folks I know, feed the fire academy students living in our fire house, feed us, and whatever was left or spoiled would be chicken feed.  I wound up with the back of the pickup LOADED.

What a blessing !

~~~

Yesterday ended with the monthly HLA Board meeting.  There are four new members and the tenor of the Board has changed. It had become majority new comers (less than ten year residents), transplanted city people who wanted to turn our rural area into city.  The four new members are all long time owners.  This is going to be interesting.

I am back in my old position as Secretary with the added responsibility of covering water issues.  As a result, as soon as this blog is posted I have to do up the meeting minutes and create the agenda for next month in addition to doing the breakfast dishes

Yesterday started at 0500 when I went down to set out the morning juice and fruit and didn’t end until after 2200.  I plan to nap today.

~~~

That cold autumn sun is filtering through the trees, and as a follow-up to last week’s holiday … 

“To unmask a blessing in disguise stare it in the face and say, ‘I know you are not just a lousy day or bad luck. I know you are a good friend—even if for the life of me I cannot determine how.’ ”

“Then you can turn over a world. A world that once distorted every blessing that squeezed through its gates will now open those gates wide. And the blessings that have already entered will sigh a breath of relief as one by one they discard their scary costumes.”

So … ‘til next week …

The family holiday ended last wednesday.  They were home in time for Hallowe’en.

Siku and I survived without trouble although he really missed his “walks” with Kamille.  I‘m learning how to play his you-stomp-and-pretend-to-bark-and-I’ll-run-frantically-around-in-circles-barking game. Fortunately, I get to stand in one place and play until he’s panting hard and lies down.

I am glad they are all home.  I missed them.  Tonight I’ll be cooking dinner … meatballs in sauce over pasta, baked butternut squash with tahini, a green salad, and strawberry-cream cheese cups. When I’m not cooking every night I can get creative.

~~~

Our weather is still dilly-dallying.  One morning last week it was way below freezing at dawn.  Lately it has been above freezing, but just barely.  And the birch trees are still wearing yellow.

Last year the oak trees held onto some of their dead leaves all through winter.  In Spring the nodules where the dead leaves were still attached didn’t bud.  At harvest time this year, the trees were LOADED with acorns.  And again the trees are not losing their dead leaves.

It is a conumdrum.

~~~

The annual Hammond Landowners’ Association general membership meeting was last Saturday.  As usual, it was too loud, too many people (for me), and too much going on all at once.

The main topic was fire and the chance of this area being next.  There is a local firesafe council which is quite active.  They are providing chipping service for all the slash piles which folks are clearing out around their residences and along the road easements.

And on the subject of emergency needs, I put in a word for amateur radio.  Looks as if we will have at least two new hams soon.  We have even begun talking about a Hammond Ranch radio net, possibly on tuesday evenings.

I have begun the planning for the club’s involvement in next year’s local events.  So far there are six events on the list running from mid-May through the end of September.  I really don’t think we can commit for more than seven what with summer work and holidays.  I intend to do Headwaters again, unless someone else wants the experience.

I do enjoy doing these events and, of course, I’ll tell you all about them.

~~~

My foray back into genealogy hit a snag.  My first trip back to the LDS Family History Center wound up being a I-am-so-glad-to-see-you-again fest with the two Sisters with whom I used to work that not a bit of research got done.  My second try was on Hallowe’en and, although I was told they would be open … no one showed up.

I will try again tomorrow.  I recently became aware there is a g-g-g-something grandfather in the Finch line who fought in the Revolutionary War.  That will be interesting research.

~~~

Still no word on the redistricting commission.  I found out the other applicant from Siskiyou County is a lodge brother of Mark’s.  I’d still like the choice to be me (two friends have volunteered to be my driver for any trips required if I am chosen), but if not me, I’d like it to be the other Siskiyou resident.

I’m not sure when the next winnowing takes place.  They are still accepting comments on those of us who applied, so I’ll repeat (since I’d really like to be chosen) … if you think you know me enough to comment the link is

https://applications.shapecaliforniasfuture.auditor.ca.gov/application/15937.html

and the place for comments is down at the  bottom of the page.  Thanks in advance.

~~~

I recently found this on a blog I follow … 

“One thing you need to get through life is to have a sense of humor — which means seeing the humor wherever you can find it.

“For instance, I found the Food Service absolutely hilarious. They’d ask me what I’d like to order and I would ask, ‘What’s on the Kosher menu?’ ‘Meatloaf and Mashed potatoes, Salisbury steak and Mashed Potatoes, Roast Turkey and vegetables.’ I ordered the meatloaf — ‘Sorry, we don’t have that.’ OK, I replied, the Salisbury steak — ‘Sorry, we don’t have that.’ No problem, I’ll have the roast turkey. And sometime after an hour they delivered a chicken dinner.”

It reminded me of a story told years ago by neighbor who worked as a flight attendant in first class on American Airlines. 

On a flight to Paris, she got to the last first class passenger and offered him a beef meal.  He asked for a chicken meal and she told him they were all gone.  He said “You mean I have no choice?” to which she replied “But sir, you do have a choice.  You can choose whether or not to eat it.”

Thanks Lynn.  That story still makes me laugh and I’ve used it as an example many times over the years.

~~~

I spent part of last weekend setting aside the Fire Cider.  It will be between 4 and 6 weeks before it is ready.  Then I’ll start using it.  Flu shots make me sick (at least they have in the past), so this is one solution to immune boosting.

Also spent some time organizing my herbal recipe notebook.

Making jars of Dream-y Foot Salve to give as gifts is next on the list.  And I might try some bath salts.  I’ve never made them. 

I’m thinking of contacting the local Winnemen Wintu tribal offices to ask if there is a local herbalist who would be willing to teach me.  I know quite a bit about herbs and their uses, but it is mostly from books using what local plants I can identify or grow such as yarrow and feverfew and comfrey and elderberry.  But I’m betting there are useful, local, native plants about which I know nothing. 

I’d like to learn. 

~~~

So, to finish this edition… a note from a Rebbe …

“We can endure much more than we think we can; all human experience testifies to that. All we need to do is learn not to be afraid of pain. Grit your teeth and let it hurt. Don’t deny it, don’t be overwhelmed by it. It will not last forever. One day, the pain will be gone and you will still be there.”

and one from me …

Sometimes all you need is someone who can make you smile.

‘Til next week …